February Newsletter
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Newsletter oHf Saint CuharlesmBorromeio Claithotlic Cahurchs~ February 2018 Chili and the Dignity of the Human Person "Solidarity is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all" (Pope John Paul II, On Social Concerns, 1987). “I would like to make an appeal to those in possession of greater resources, to public authorities and to all people of good will who are working for social justice: never tire of working for a more just world, marked by greater solidarity! No one can remain insensitive to the inequalities that persist in the world” (Pope Francis 7/25/13, Varginha, Brazil)! The call to solidarity, as referenced by popes, can be daunting. But a bowl of chili in Beckman Hall after Mass? That is doable. Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return What do the two have in common? to the Lord your God. Over a year ago, the OKC Chamber of Commerce–aware of the overcrowding Joel 2:12 of the Oklahoma County Jail–convened a task force to examine the county’s local justice system and needs. A building built to hold 1,200 houses upwards of 2,500. This is a safety concern, financial concern, and moral concern. The committee chaired by Clayton Bennett, also chairman of the Oklahoma City Thunder, hired the VERA Institute of Justice to conduct a data-driven analysis to learn “why the jail was overcrowded, how it was used, and whether that use served the county’s February 14th public safety needs effectively.” Their findings reveal one-quarter of all jail admissions were for the lowest-level offenses, and 80 percent of people in the jail were being held pretrial and therefore are not convicted of the crime for which they are accused. Oklahoma County’s rate of female incarceration was high compared to the national average for a county of its size, and black people were overrepresented. Almost half of the inmates are black. While the county population is only 15%. These findings reveal procedural flaws and systemic prejudice and are stones the county has been tripping over for decades. These stones can just as well pave the way to an improved judicial system. VERA has proposed actions to the Chamber of Commerce for improving the situation at the jail. So back to chili and solidarity. St. Charles will be hosting a chili supper Saturday, January 27 beginning a little after 6:00, following 5:00 Mass. Not only will you have the opportunity of fellow- ship but to hear from a VERA presenter, former Speaker of the House Kris Steele, as well as a person from the Chamber of Commerce. VERA presentation is 7:00 - In this issue... 8:30. In fellowship and with knowledge (not to mention fortified with chili), the Chili and Dignity call to solidarity is not as daunting. Sacred Family Tales “I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not Baked Scallops clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me” (Matt 25:43). Loretta Young – Kathy Judge Gentle Hands of God see also: www.vera.org/publications/oklahoma-city-chamber-criminal-justice-task-force-report Parish Life 1 Sacred Family Tales ca. 1395-1455 WWDD? What would Dad do? Bl. John of Fiesole, After my father passed away in 1997, my sister Kathy popularly known as faithfully drove Mom to the cemetery on a weekly basis Bl. Fra Angelico, to place flowers on his grave. Nibbles, Mom’s apricot was a Dominican poodle/companion, usually went along for the ride as did painter in the mid- ten-year old Brendan, her grandson. fifteenth century known for the beau- Nibbles sat on Mom’s lap but kept his feet on the car ty of his paintings door’s armrest. Excited to be riding, his little feet and the holiness of pranced, and he locked and unlocked the automatic his priestly life. locks. Kathy heard a steady “click, click, click”, as she –Feb. 18th on the drove. Dominican Calendar These visits were an emotionally wrenching experience for all as Mom and Dad had a happy fifty-year marriage and our Dad was beloved in so many ways. Which is to say, no one was thinking clearly and Kathy locked her keys in the car. If Lassie could perform all manner of feats that Baked Scallops required human logic, surely Nibbles, trapped inside, 1-1 ½ lb fresh scallops could unlock the door. Kathy cajoled Nibbles. She ½ C butter begged some more. She said, “I was convinced if we could convince him to step on it again, he would unlock 1 ¼ milk it.” His little feet pattered back and forth on the armrest ½ C sliced mushrooms but came nowhere close to solving the problem. 1 tsp lemon juice Kathy was frustrated but laughing at herself as she ¼ tsp garlic powder knew what a funny picture she posed. They gave up on ¼ tsp basil the Lassie-like maneuver and Kathy called her husband 2T parsley to bring over a spare key. Doug showed up twenty 1 C grated Swiss cheese minutes later. 2T grated Parmesan cheese In the meantime, two elderly ladies parked behind 2T flour Kathy to visit their loved one’s nearby grave. They were 2T minced onion the only two cars in the cemetery. ¼ tsp paprika What are the odds? As they left, the ladies sideswiped Linguini or favorite pasta Kathy’s car. She thought, “What would Dad do? I channeled his best qualities of patience and kindness and Wash and pat dry scallops. Place in greased casse- thought of it as a tribute to him, though my first instinct role dish. Melt all ingredients in sauce pan except was to snap at them, ‘Are you crazy? You couldn’t see cheeses and milk. Gradually add milk and stir until it me in this whole cemetery?’ But I was nice and said, thickens. Pour over scallops and top with cheeses. ‘These things happen.’ I figured, considering the Sprinkle with parsley. Bake covered at 350 degrees circumstances, they were just as upset as I was.” for approximately 30 minutes. Serve over pasta if de- —Monica Knudsen sired. Serves 4. 6 An invisible man marries an invisible woman. Mary Smith 2003 The kids were nothing to look at either. St. Monica 6 What is the resemblance between a green apple and a red one? They're both red except for the green one. 2 Catholic Movie Star: Gretchen Michaela Young Those of us from a certain vintage vividly remember could claim the child was adopted. Hollywood was once her swooping entrance on our black and white TV sets; a scandal-averse. stunning beauty wearing diaphanous gowns. She opened, Though her parentage was an open secret in turned around and closed an elegant set of white double Hollywood, Judy Lewis found out about her famous doors fit for a Beverly Hills mansion with the grace of a father as an adult. She met Clark Gable once as a child ballet dancer. Massive chandeliers and flowing flowers when he stopped by their home for an hour-long visit. completed the picture of a privileged and perfect screen When she confronted her mother about the rumors that life. Each week, this was the opening scene for The had swirled around both of them for a lifetime, Loretta Loretta Young Show, an anthology of short dramas with went to the bathroom and threw up. She and her a moral message, each starring Loretta, which aired from daughter were estranged for a time after the publication 1953 to 1961. The show often closed with a Bible verse. of Judy’s revealing 1994 memoir, Uncommon Born in 1913, her parents separated when she was just Knowledge. three years old. Her single mother moved Loretta and After her film retirement, Young devoted the rest of her two sisters to southern California and opened a her life to Catholic charitable causes. Loretta’s faith boarding house. journey and life story is an example for the rest of us. Loretta Young was a movie and TV actress, a devout She was flawed and sometimes broken. Her personal life Catholic, and a woman with a long-kept secret. In her was a crooked road, not at all like her screen image. She youth, affairs with up and coming romantic leads like paid a high price for her mistakes. Her faith was her core Jimmy Stewart and Spencer Tracy marked her personal and her trust in God’s forgiveness unwavering until her life. death from ovarian cancer at eighty-seven in 2000. Young was a Hollywood Golden Age star with a — Monica Knudsen career that spanned the silent screen era until the early 1960s. She made over one hundred films and won an Loretta Young TV Entrances, A Montage of Opening Scenes by Alan Academy Award in 1947 for her role in The Farmer’s Eichler on YouTube Daughter. Several episodes of The Loretta Young Show are viewable on YouTube. Forever Young: The Life, Loves and Enduring Faith of a Hollywood Leg- She married three times. Her first marriage was brief end. by Joan Wester Anderson. Authorized biography. Allen, TX: Thomas and annulled; an elopement at seventeen. Her parish Moore Publishing, 2000. priest counseled her; choose between a Hollywood lifestyle and her Catholic faith.